tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61646304527327079522024-03-14T13:59:37.747-04:00Capital AddictionShmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.comBlogger310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-36675979060920976672010-02-24T23:36:00.004-05:002010-02-24T23:46:39.797-05:00How do you say "ouch" in Russian?My guess is that many members of the Russian Olympic team are red in the race right now, and it's not from the cold. A <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Russia-s-hockey-empire-crumbles-in-front-of-the-?urn=oly,223979">great post from Greg <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wyshynski</span></a> wraps up the Russian loss to Canada in the Olympics:<br /><blockquote><p>Russia was embarrassed. To the point where Russian NHL player participation<br />in the 2014 Games in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sochi</span> is now guaranteed; there's no other way to cleanse<br />the stench from this defeat. This game was supposed to be a classic. Instead, it<br />was a coronation for the Canadians in this rivalry. </p></blockquote>If Russia is serious about pitting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Superleague</span> against the NHL as the best place to play hockey in the world <em>and</em> keeping their talent in the Motherland , making the Russian team exciting to watch would be a good step in that direction.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com116tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-39745005155815287552009-10-02T00:04:00.004-04:002009-10-02T00:25:55.558-04:00A shiny new season!Is that the smell of cupcakes in the air? Or sunshine? Or just general happy feelings? Must be the start of hockey season! I am in grad school application hell (although no longer traveling the big ol' world, I once again have a kinda <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">permanent</span> address) but I will be making it to DC this season for some games. In the meantime, I leave you with a Caps win and this gem (fast forward to the 1:30 mark):<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nDlvAYen5qM&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nDlvAYen5qM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com138tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-17422012616378502372009-04-28T21:52:00.009-04:002009-04-28T21:59:15.751-04:00Suck it Tortorella!Even this wandering fan girl heard about the Caps big comeback...Hurray!<br /><br /> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">-----------------------</span> <img style="width: 147px; height: 154px;" src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/LAKSHM%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/TEMP/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" />Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-76437834152834081262009-01-03T01:32:00.007-05:002009-01-03T02:04:13.021-05:00Time to make it official...Wow, it feels like a lot longer then four months since I lasted posted here. That might have something to do with how often I used to post here and how much time I spent thinking about hockey!<br /><br />I have spent the last four months making some whirlwind changes and traveling quite a bit. I have been everywhere from Vegas to Ireland, and I am off in a week to travel across Asia. Pretty fun, but as I expected, not a lot of time for hockey or a blog.<br /><br />It seems like its time to officially sign off, but not to say goodbye! You never know what is around the corner, and I could very well end up back in DC pretty soon, blogging, eating copious amounts of Five Guys, and bumming off work to get to the Caps game.<br /><br />Thank you to all the people who took the time to read this blog! It was amazing fun and I made a lot of new friends. I especially want to thank the folks at <a href="http://www.onfrozenblog.com/">On Frozen Pond</a> and <a href="http://www.dccheapseats.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CapsChick</span></a> for being such terrific fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bloggers</span>. Good luck to everyone in the New Year and take care!<br /><br />With lots of affection - - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Shmee</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PS:</span> I'll be keeping the site up for several more months and you can still read the occasional missive from me at <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/">Hockey's Ladies of Greatness</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PPS:</span> I have been sorting through my neglected Cap Addiction mailbox, and I have a few emails about a new site with a very similar name to Cap Addiction. Nope, its not me blogging at a new home and I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dont</span> have any affiliation with that site.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-6530532574686139382008-09-24T20:08:00.003-04:002008-09-24T20:24:19.971-04:00Decision 2008No, not a post about politics. Though I did just get my hair cut and I asked for "young and fun". Instead, I got <a href="http://politicalkudzu.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/sarah-palin-1.jpg">this</a>. <br /><br />I have posted a bit on Cap Addiction about my hectic spring and summer, which saw me traveling for work about 80% of the time. Some of it was fun, some stressful and some of it just plain sucked. Like being stuck at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Albuquerque</span> Airport during Hurricane Dolly. I also had some bad moments about leaving this blog unattended for so long, but there <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wasnt</span> much I could do about it. And as usual with me, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">eventually</span> got over it.<br /><br />With the first <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pre</span>-season game tomorrow, the decision I have to make is over my season tickets. With all that traveling, something became really clear to me -- I want to continue traveling. And not for work, and not just in America. So after a two week stint on the road, I came back to my office and resigned. And for right now, all my future plans entail is a road trip I am leaving for tomorrow, a trip to Central America in November, and an extended trip to Asia and the South Pacific in December and January. Not much time for hockey, eh?<br /><br />I have been holding onto my season tickets, even as I booked my flights and started packing up my apartment (yup, I'm leaving DC too). Even as I am writing this post, my season tickets are sitting on my dresser. And even as I get ready to leave tomorrow, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dont</span> know that I am going to be able to call and cancel them. I have every logical reason to give up my tickets and every emotional one to keep them and try to get to any game that I can. Decision 2008 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">isnt</span> going to be an easy one for me, at least in one sense.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-62406834853480345792008-08-13T19:39:00.004-04:002008-08-13T20:04:35.460-04:00ESPN kinda blows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.wikia.com/openserving/sports/images/3/31/ESPN_Sucks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 197px;" src="http://images.wikia.com/openserving/sports/images/3/31/ESPN_Sucks.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So the one nice thing about traveling this much for work (well, two nice things -- I just got to spend a weekend in San Francisco), is that I get to watch some TV. I'm not really a huge TV watcher in my normal life (normal life = being home 95% of the time) but spending this much time in hotels and airports means I watch a LOT of TV. And since most hotel TVs give you HBO, 4 channels of ESPN or CNN, ESPN seemed like the best choice. HBO always that Bunny Ranch show on, and while I'm sure plenty of people enjoy it, its not really my thing. CNN just annoys me...Wolf Blizter has got to be the worst fake anchor name of all time.<br /><br />I stopped watching ESPN a handful of years ago, when they decided beach volleyball and bowling where more important to broadcast then hockey. But even when I stopped watching, I had no idea that it had so completely gone down the tubes. ESPN kinda blows.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem 1: </span>They have nothing on hockey. Fine, self explanatory. Its summer, and they really dont cover hockey anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem 2:</span> ESPN is like CNN's stepchild. Everything is on loop. Constantly. I started putting ESPN on in the mornings, and in the hour it takes for me to shower, put on make up, and slap some gunk in my hair, they repeat the same news, the same teasers, the same commericals, over and over. Nothing original whatsoever. By the time I left California, I could perfectly imitate Jeremy Schaap's voice saying, "Why Joe Torre isnt upset over Manny being Manny...coming up next". Except it never came up next. They just looped back to same news stories they showed 15 minutes earlier.<br /><br />And this isnt just on ESPN news...its every ESPN channel. And when they arent busy looping the same news, its either those SportsCenter commercials (can I recommend that they spend less time on the commercials and more time on original programming?) or beach volleyball. Or lacrosse. Or college wrestling.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem 3:</span> The jokes. Oh, the jokes. I know the jokes are supposed to be aimed at the audience in some sort of "I mean this ironically but not really if you laugh and no one is as smart as I (an ESPN writer) so even if you dont laugh, I am laughing at you for not laughing" kind of way. Yes, I can discern all that from the smirks on the faces of these anchors when they deliver their not funny jokes. But seriously, stop it with the jokes. It's a little pathetic.<br /><br />I am moving back to HBO. When they dont have Bunny Ranch on, they have Generation Kill on loop, and at least I kinda like that show. Much better then watching Jeremy Schaap preen at the camera, AGAIN.<br /><br />PS: I know many of you already came to this conclusion long ago, so pardon me for being a little slower to get there. I really didnt watch it until the past couple months or so and I'll probably never watch it again. Until I am in an airport next week.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-48828847602377592672008-07-01T23:17:00.004-04:002008-07-01T23:23:07.223-04:00Now we just need Mike Comrie!So the Caps signed Jose Theodore. I can only say...that's hot.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thesuperficial.com/images/2006/06/paris-hilton-jose-theodore.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.thesuperficial.com/images/2006/06/paris-hilton-jose-theodore.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"> Photo from thesuperficial.com</span><br /></div>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-68290218261615330002008-06-14T17:34:00.006-04:002008-06-14T17:39:46.910-04:00I miss hockey.I'm re-posting here what I blogged about on <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2008/03/hard-line.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HLOG</span></a> about three months ago. Its even more appropriate to my life now.<br />--------------------------------------------------<br /><br />In the past few months, the whole blogging vs. job that pays me money argument has taken up a considerable amount of room in my thoughts. Granted, my thoughts usually revolve around hockey, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chipotle</span> and if I can get away with another day of not shaving my legs.<br /><br />What brought about this internal argument was a career change. I recently started a new job that has long hours, lots of travel (to weird places with no hockey teams) and is 100% consuming of my time at work. The perk to my old job was that while some days were high stress, I still had time during the day to read hockey blogs, comment on them, and post on Capital Addiction, even if just on my lunch hour. My weekends are typically spent away from the computer so I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dont</span> have much time to post then either.<br /><br />The question I have been struggling with is what makes a good hockey blogger (who posts the most?), and how do you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">assauge</span> your guilt over not tending quite as diligently to your blog as you may have in the past? Or in other words, how the heck do I have a crazy job, season tickets to the Caps, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">soemthing</span> of a social life, and still find time to be a good hockey blogger?<br /><br />To give some perspective to this argument, I'll note here that I used to post about 1-2 day at least. Currently, I am lucky to post 2 times a week on my blog.<br /><br />I still <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dont</span> have all the answers, but in thinking about this, I've come to a few conclusions. Yes, I would love to be paid to write about hockey all day. But I'm not, people still pay attention to John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Buccigross</span> more then me, and I have to pay the rent, so life goes on. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">havent</span> found a solution to the guilt I feel over leaving my blog without new content for days at a time (the closest feeling I can compare it to is feeling like a bad mommy). My hockey blog is incredibly important to me, definitely not as much as a child, but it remains a fulfilling part of my life.<br /><br />I've also realized that if I forced myself to post as much as I used to, the consequence would be poorer quality of posts, not to mention some growing resentment towards something that was a valued hobby. As much as I would like to post at least 30 times a month, perhaps its better that I write 15 good posts a month?<br /><br />As I mentioned, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dont</span> have all the answers on this one. As hockey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bloggers</span> who are also mothers, students and career jugglers, many of us are facing this same struggle. I imagine that some hockey <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bloggers</span> out there, male or female, might be facing the same internal struggle and guilt, so I thought I would share my thoughts on this.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Originally</span> posted to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">HLOG</span> on March 30, 2008. </span>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-87960141129519975632008-05-09T00:47:00.002-04:002008-05-09T00:50:58.282-04:00Bear with me...I'm almost back, I promise! To the lovely folks who have emailed me, I havent gotten hit by a bus or diappeared completely, just working. In the meantime ... Go Penguins. Yes, really.<br /><br />Also, cant figure out if I am happy that the Flyers have gotten so far because that "justifies" the Caps early knock out, or if I am still just disgusted.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-59831013106487049612008-04-23T04:41:00.002-04:002008-04-23T04:48:54.460-04:00HeartbreakI have had a work project for the last few weeks that has kept me in the office about 18 hours a day. Not a lot of time for blogging in there. I managed to catch most of the Caps games on TV, and all of them in person.<br /><br />I suppose I thought the forced days of hockey exile would inoculate me a bit if the Caps lost tonight. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">That's</span> not the case, at all. Like every other Caps fan, I am heartbroken. I'm grateful for the most amazing season of hockey that I have ever seen. I'm grateful to have seen Alex <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ovechkin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">undoubtedly</span> take over as the super star of the NHL, have my heart lift at the sight of Sergei <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Federov</span> flying around the ice one more time, and watch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Olie</span> during what will probably be his last season in Washington. And most of all I am grateful for the amazing effort that every member of the Caps put forward.<br /><br />But my heart is still a little cracked.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-57361871574598214062008-04-14T00:03:00.007-04:002008-04-14T00:33:16.013-04:00From flying high to crashing low, all in one weekendHm. I was too hung over to post anything about the Caps edge-of-your-seat win on Friday night. And now I am glad I didnt.<br /><br /><a href="http://capitaladdiction.blogspot.com/2008/04/perfect-opportunity.html">As I have mentioned</a>, there are some aspects of the Capitals' collective game that make them successful. Consistent play and a good forecheck are the two most present factors in the Capitals wins. Unfortunately, neither of these two showed up for very long on Sunday (if at all), and the Capitals lost an important game on home ice. They now go into Tuesday's game in Philadelphia under the gun -- they have to win at least one on Philly's turf in order to return to DC with the series even. A much better prospect then returning with three losses, and their head on the chopping block if they should lose one more game.<br /><br />Here is what sticks out for me the most:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I've got to give it to the Flyers</span>, they found a way to shut down Ovie, sneak some past Huet and keep the game under their control. The Caps looked as nervous as a virgin on prom night, which certainly helped the Flyers keep their game going.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Give me Steve Eminger over John Erskine</span>. John Erskine has got two inches and six pounds on Steve Eminger. Steve Eminger has got a brain. I'll take Eminger, please.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It was pretty plain to see that the Flyers</span> were picking on Cristobal Huet. In the third period, Huet was finally fed up and tossed around some healthy shoves. Good for him, but the Caps d-men need to do a better job of kicking those Flyers out of the crease. Scott Hartnell was parked there for so long, I memorized every wrinkle in the back of his jersey.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ovie might have been shut down offensively</span>, but defensively he did a pretty good job. In that category, he is a ton better then he was last season.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Milan Jurcina. Not sure what to do with him.</span> When he uses his huge size, he is scary and effective. But more often then not, I see him playing too tentatively for a guy who is 6'4 and 230 lbs. Consistency and confidence issues are what got him booted out of Boston, lets hope they dont continue to haunt him here.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I would give anything to see Scott Hartnell</span> stop being a little bitch and actually fight Donald Brashear. It would be the ass kicking of a lifetime.<br /><br />So, anyone braving Philly for a game?Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-40467801986523918082008-04-11T17:32:00.002-04:002008-04-11T17:35:53.126-04:00Flyers vs. Capitals, Game 1<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >LETS GO CAPS!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thehogs.net/images/uploads/Washington-Capitals-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.thehogs.net/images/uploads/Washington-Capitals-2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-11226330150673205932008-04-10T00:16:00.009-04:002008-04-10T00:35:03.290-04:00Too much hypeDear ESPN, TSN, Pierre McGuire, Don Cherry, etc:<br /><br />Stop talking about my team. Pretty please? Stop talking about our "Cinderella run", how under-rated we are, how hard working, how we are definitely going to trounce the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Flyers</span>. Please, please, stop. Have I officially lost it? Maybe. Read on, then judge.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />I've had Caps season tickets for two years and watched them on and off for a handful of years prior to that. What I have liked most about being a Capitals fan (and this is essentially selfish) is our little community. Yeah, there <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">isnt</span> a huge hockey community in DC but its a loyal one that has been selling out homes game. But the community here is tight and we all sort of recognize each other, going in and out of the metro to the Verizon Center for six months. We see each other at practice, nod hello on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">VC</span> escalators, comment each other to death on blogs. And since DC is a classic band wagon town, we'll see a our ranks swell when the Caps are on a run, then even out again to the loyalists. Its as intimate an experience as you will ever get in professional sports.<br /><br />But all of sudden, the Caps are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">everyone's</span> team. And after watching a painful rebuilding process for the Caps, I cant help be a little weary of all these new accolades coming our way. <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-way-to-end-regular-season.html">As <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Shan</span> pointed out, where are all the gloating Caps fans?</a> Well, we are hiding behind our computers and vintage <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Langway</span> jerseys, hoping that all this sudden attention <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">doesnt</span> distract our very young team, the majority of whom have a season or two under their belt and no playoff experience. I cant help but be a little fearful when I hear that the press box can hardly contain all the out of town journalists, after the press box used to ring if not emptily, then at the least was a bit lonely with beat writers from the Washington Post and Washington Times as the only print news regulars.<br /></span><span id="fullpost"><br />I also want to add the caveat here that I am not worried about all the chatting blogs are doing about the Capitals (including, of course, my own). I'm superstitious about all the talking heads claiming that the Flyers are going down because the Capitals are hot, hot, hot. And Cinderalla. Or some version of that.</span><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Its entirely possible and likely that I am being paranoid, and as the Caps are consummate professionals, they will go into the playoffs with the same vigor and determination they showed in the last weeks of the off season. But I hope you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dont</span> blame me for being just a bit scared, and crossing my fingers every time I see the words "Cinderella" and "Capitals" in a story.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note:</span> I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">regularly</span> blog over at <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/">Hockey's Ladies of Greatness</a>, and this is a piece <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">originally</span> written for that site. Be sure to head over there and check out a great hockey website, written entirely by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fangirls</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note 2: </span>I may have blogged too soon! Here is <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3337943">another article on the Caps</a>, and its nice to see some love for Tom Poti.<br /></span>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-25873626063964139042008-04-09T22:55:00.004-04:002008-04-09T23:43:14.023-04:00McGrattan likely out of Ottawa after post seasonThe<a href="http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/McRae_Earl/2008/04/08/pf-5223321.html"> Ottawa Sun has an interesting piece</a> on Sens enforcer Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">McGrattan</span>, which features some pretty candid quotes from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">McGrattan</span>:<br /><blockquote>"I understand my role here. I don't have a great education. My brother has a university degree, but I hated school. I couldn't wait to get out. I have a choice: Back home working in the steel mill or fight for 20 seconds with 20,000 people cheering. The people love it. I really don't care what some people's negative perception of me might be. They can think what they want."</blockquote>I have to admit that I have a soft spot for enforcers (not to be confused with goons because there is a difference). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">McGrattan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">doesnt</span> feel sorry for himself at all, but you can tell that he yearns to play for more then 3 minutes a night or be a healthy scratch more often then not. I cant blame him. There is no doubt that big, physical players belong in the league, but post lockout there seems to be a sense that there is very little middle ground for these guys -- they are either meant to keep the other team in line, or to be benched.<br /><br />With all the focus on small, speedy players after the lockout, many of these enforcers have been put in the position of trying to validate their role. Just look at our own Donald <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Brashear</span>, who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">astutely</span> assessed where the NHL was headed after the lockout and made sure that he showed he was much more then just ice police. Brasher has played a vital role for the Caps, including energy guy on a line with Matt Bradley to shake up the opposing team's forwards with hard hits and has most importantly played the role of enforcer competently (ahem, John Erskine). I'm not scared that Donald Brasher is going to make a foolish mistake every time he steps off the bench, which I'm note sure that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Flyers</span> fans can say about Steve <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Downie</span> or Rangers fans about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Colton</span> Orr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Dont</span> tell me that players like Brash should be on the ice for a maximum of three minutes a game.<br /><br />Wow, I guess that was more of a rant then a post on Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">McGrattan</span>, but I do hope that he finds a team that can value his play and give him a role similar to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Brashear's</span>. Something tells me that Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">McGrattan</span> will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">surprise</span> a lot of people as a solid fourth line center, once he gets a fair shake.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-57646074409610594462008-04-08T21:06:00.005-04:002008-04-08T21:23:16.357-04:00Dan Steinberg, mad Caps bloggerSteinberg once called me a mad Caps blogger (it brought to mind images of 1998, which is the last time I can remember using the term "mad"), so I am going to throw it back at him. Lately this guy is covering the Caps like nobody's business - which is awesome - so I'll just <a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/caps/">point you in the direction of his blogging </a>and let you have at it. This must be what it feels like to be a Wizards fan and read DC Sports Bog.<br /><br />To recap:<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/04/donald_brashear_has_a_blog.html">-Don Brashear</a> has a <a href="http://donbrashear.com/">blog</a> (I'm scared not to read it)<br />-Mike Green <a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/04/caps_playoff_beard_preview.html#more">thinks he can grow a beard</a> (I'm not even sure that Mike Green can shave, but ok)<br />-Someone is roaming around with a <a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/04/caps_mohawk_talk.html#more">mohawk</a><br /><br />And some more goodies. Go check'em out.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-50770957273983820742008-04-08T12:57:00.003-04:002008-04-08T15:08:13.168-04:00The Caps are mainstream!After years of being laregely ignored by the Washington Press, the Caps have made it. How do I know? Sergei Federov made it into <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/07/AR2008040703020_2.html">The Reliable Source</a>:<br /><blockquote> ยท <i><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Sergei+Fedorov?tid=informline" target="">Sergei Fedorov</a></i> celebrating the Caps' playoff-clinching victory Saturday night with a dinner for about six or seven at Teatro Goldoni. The newly acquired center came in wearing a baseball cap but politely removed it.</blockquote>Or maybe the Caps made it when the powered their way into the playoffs and the Washington Press is just catching on....Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-82171966945239566082008-04-06T18:48:00.003-04:002008-04-06T19:00:02.660-04:00Lecavalier to have shoulder surgerySomething tells me that Matt Cooke isnt going to be on <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3331197">Big Vinny's</a> Christmas card list this year:<br /> <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=tam"></a><blockquote><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=tam">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> center <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=523">Vincent Lecavalier</a> will have surgery to repair damage to his right shoulder. <p>Lecavalier was hurt in Thursday's game at Washington. His shoulder was dislocated when he fell awkwardly after a hit by Washington's <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=170">Matt Cooke</a>.</p> </blockquote> <p>Personally, I saw the hit and thought it was clean. Cookie (a perfect nickname for a top instigator, no?) was fined $2,500 for it, but that seemed more of a "OMG, how could someone hurt NHL superstar Vinny?" type of deal to me. The refs didnt call anything on the play for a reason.<br /></p> <p>In other news, the Caps will play the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs, most likely to start on Thursday. I'm still flying high from yesterday's win, but when I come down, I'll have lots to stay about the league's dirtiest team. Most of it will start with the letter F.<br /></p>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-51433298559539038802008-04-06T02:47:00.005-04:002008-04-06T02:57:15.496-04:00HOLY MOTHERAn unbelievable and unforgettable night at the Verizon Center.<br /><br />To the Washington Capitals players, coaches and staff -- thank you for an amazing season. Watching the team come full circle has been a wonderful experience as a fan and one I will never forget. No matter what happens this post season, I promise to keep believin'.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjhWXHW64GLd7F2z_jQFDTdGAXBl-8UCqTSIuw6Y4y667OhzoNP2EFL5wsWtjdUTVHCAkyLCLGf-ULf6OhZ4kBDcDxpTolzZJEBqy73kfKvvIaMgOVfPCQH77PnDPmFKZvl3tQ7L55ZDC/s1600-h/playoff+bound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjhWXHW64GLd7F2z_jQFDTdGAXBl-8UCqTSIuw6Y4y667OhzoNP2EFL5wsWtjdUTVHCAkyLCLGf-ULf6OhZ4kBDcDxpTolzZJEBqy73kfKvvIaMgOVfPCQH77PnDPmFKZvl3tQ7L55ZDC/s400/playoff+bound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186022370515187810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/photos?photoId=1905898&gameId=280405023">ESPN</a></span><br /></div>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-16262408473593293342008-04-05T00:13:00.006-04:002008-04-05T00:41:58.110-04:00A perfect opportunityFor many of the Washington Capitals, tomorrow's game will be the biggest of their career. With Carolina losing its last game of the season to the Panthers tonight, they are stalled at 92 points. If the Caps will against the Panthers tomorrow, they will win the SE Division outright and a ticket to the playoffs as the third seed.<br /><br />Pressure? Maybe just a bit. So what do the Caps have to do to win?<br /><br />- <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Dont underestimate</span> the Panthers. Yeah, they are out of the playoff race. But, the Cats are a dangerous team. Until the Capitals eliminated them from playoff contention a week ago, they were still making a run for it. Much like the Capitals, the Panthers have been trying to rebuild and are slowly - at times painfully - getting there. After tonight's win against a Canes team that had once ruled the SE Division and were desperate for a win, the Panthers are going to feel pretty confident. And when you are out of playoff contention, whats more fun then playing spoiler?<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Get physical.</span> When the Caps are throwing their weight around, are aggressive on the forecheck and pass the puck well, they are very very good. Milan Jurcina, Tom Poti, Matt Bradley, Matt Cooke, Donald Brashear and of course Alex Ovechkin are all capable of bone jarring hits. The trouble with the Caps is that they often dont maintain their physical play through the game, which leads to...<br /><br />- <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Consistency.</span> What has made me the most hopeful about the Cap's recent run is that they have become more focused and consistent for all 60 minutes. Yeah, there are some blips here and there, but for the most part their minds are wholly in the game. If the Caps can be consistent in playing <span style="font-style: italic;">their</span> game, they'll emerge the SE Division champs.<br /><br />- <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Alex Ovechkin.</span> No doubt, AO has carried this team all alone at times. Now that he is getting some more help from the likes of Brooks Laich, Matt Cooke, Sergei Federov, and Victor Kozlov, AO can relax...just a little. For the Caps to win tomorrow and in any playoff round, the AO machine must continue on track, and there certainly isnt an indication its slowing down. Something tells me the pressure of the playoffs would only ignite Ovie some more.<br /><br />- <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Secondary scoring.</span> Ok, ok...I just said that Alex Ovechkin's scoring was one of the key points of the Caps recent streak. And this point also very much pertains to any games that the Caps would play in further rounds but the likes of Brooks Laich, Matt Cooke, Sergei Federov, and Victor Kozlov must continue racking up the assists and/or goals. Defensemen will be on Ovie like a puck bunny at a player's party, and he'll need some help.<br /><br />At the end of the day, the Caps know what they must do to win. Carolina handed them a perfect situation tonight to show the NHL how far the Caps have come in a short period of time, and I dont think anyone on that team is going to give up that opportunity.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-41349548784235044312008-04-04T00:18:00.001-04:002008-04-04T00:20:47.443-04:00Stayin' Alive<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/03/AR2008040303945.html">CAPITALS: 4, LIGHTNING: 1</a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5rKo7Tf5YBQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5rKo7Tf5YBQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-26784195462689370162008-04-03T09:37:00.003-04:002008-04-03T09:52:22.907-04:00I never thought I would say thisThank you Pittsburgh Penguins. <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280402016">For today, you are off my shit lis</a>t. If you lose to the Flyers on Sunday, you are back on. Actually, you are back on no matter what but enjoy these few days of less hatred being aimed at you.<br /><br />And Crosby, this was unnecessary.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr1mMVLTW_JOXMGYFTV30bYZN-RJYkb-GFthfKOQmxqFQbC9GNBJuOd4uyxn6i3dUi2JEXEahbfxnw5Jo8uM9o94EMWqyvnIDMbodFoIpZ3T521GZz0PhSLn-iC-BI4Q0hrMlYTu9sKS1/s1600-h/crosby.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr1mMVLTW_JOXMGYFTV30bYZN-RJYkb-GFthfKOQmxqFQbC9GNBJuOd4uyxn6i3dUi2JEXEahbfxnw5Jo8uM9o94EMWqyvnIDMbodFoIpZ3T521GZz0PhSLn-iC-BI4Q0hrMlYTu9sKS1/s320/crosby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185013903604152386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo blatantly copied from <span style="text-decoration: underline;">ESPN</span></span><br /></div>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-39630366460050990942008-04-01T23:22:00.002-04:002008-04-01T23:45:29.758-04:00Unbelievable<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Thats</span> the word Alex <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ovechkin</span> used <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280401023">here</a> to describe tonight's 4-1 win over the Canes and I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">couldnt</span> agree with him more.<br /><br />If someone claims that the Phone Booth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wasnt</span> as loud tonight as one of those "hockey towns" like Calgary or Montreal, that person is a tool.<br /><br />From the blanket of red that covered Verizon Center to the chants of MVP to the great saves by Cristobal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Huet</span> to the bone crunching and at times emotional play to the last joyful celebration by the Caps on the ice, it was all unbelievable.<br /><br />I can hands down say that tonight was one of the best live games I have ever attended, for any sport.<br /><br />The Caps came out with a hard, desperate edge, fully aware that their playoff hopes were hinged on tonight. That tonight would determine if every painful injury and long road trip was worth it. That tonight <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"></span> would help prove that they had graduated from what many last season considered an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AHL</span> team playing in the NHL, to a full fledged playoff contender demanding of respect. And they did it.<br /><br />Matt Cooke's first goal took the edge off, but as the Caps seemed to be resting on their laurels a bit too much in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">beginning</span> of the second period - which resulted in a Canes goal to cut the margin to 2-1 for the Caps - they came alive. Its as if the Caps came full circle in tonight's contest, with many of those tough calls that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">happened</span> in Boston and Pittsburgh losses finally falling to our favor. They let the Canes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">re-dominate</span> the play a bit again in the third but most importantly, they once again pulled themselves back from that edge and finished the job. Exactly what they will have to do if their season should continue past Saturday.<br /><br />No doubt that there is a tough road ahead. The Canes play the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Ning</span> in Carolina tomorrow, then the Panthers in Carolina as well. Should the Canes win both those contests, and the Caps win their next two contests as well, the Canes will still win the SE Division due to having one more overall win on the season then the Caps. The Caps are currently at 41 wins, the Canes at 42.<br /><br />Philly and Boston remain tied in the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> and 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> slots with 91 points. They also each have a game in hand on the Capitals. Should they each win their next three games, even with the Capitals winning their next two as well, Philly and Boston would still beat us with 97 points to the Caps 94 points. The Rangers stand at number 5 in the East with 93 points and three games while the Senators stand at number 6 with 92 points and two games <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">remaining</span> (one against the Bruins in Ottawa).<br /><br />But for now, we are still alive and tonight was still unbelievable. For tonight, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">that's</span> all that matters.Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-25335820079637419552008-04-01T11:16:00.002-04:002008-04-01T12:55:00.624-04:00Please. please.please.please.please.pleaseThats how my sentences are starting lately and will likely continue through 9:30pm.<br /><br />We MUST win this game. I dont have to add anything else, its all been said (and hopefully will be said again in the Caps lockeroom before the game).<br /><br />I am going to spend the rest of the day at work, containing myself until tonight.<br /><br />GO CAPSShmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-7731375024712424922008-03-29T18:23:00.003-04:002008-03-29T18:27:03.241-04:00From Daniel Alfredsson's lips......to God's ear. Let the prayers begin, with four games left and a margin of error at zero.<br /><p></p> <blockquote> <p>Fifth-place Ottawa, which has won once in its last five games, could still earn home ice in the first round -- or miss the playoffs entirely.</p> <p>"It's a possibility," forward <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=12">Daniel Alfredsson</a> said. "We know we could lose all three and Washington wins out and we could be out. And then we don't deserve to be in the playoffs, it's as simple as that."</p> </blockquote> <p>Read the whole thing <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280329001">here</a>, which also recaps the Bruins 4-0 drubbing of the Sens this afternoon.<br /></p>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6164630452732707952.post-25533084033335942752008-03-25T18:44:00.003-04:002008-03-25T18:54:28.340-04:00Surprise, surpriseAs I am anxiously awainting the start of the Caps/Canes game (serious nail biting and antacid popping is taking place) I wanted to share a piece of <a href="http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=a6bdd965-412d-40de-91f6-c3c76e20f44f&k=60536">hockey news</a> that just <span style="font-style: italic;">shocked</span> me. I mean truly really was unblievable........<br /><blockquote>Quebec Remparts goalie Jonathan Roy was suspended for seven games, and Remparts coach Patrick Roy -- Jonathan's father -- was suspended for five games following Saturday's melee between their team and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff.</blockquote>Also, isnt it kind of weird that Jonathan Roy refers to his dad as Patrick?<br /><blockquote>"Patrick looked at me and told me to calm down," Jonathan Roy said. "I said to myself, 'He doesn't want me to go,' but when the line judge released me, I said to myself ... 'I'm going.'"<br /> <br /></blockquote>Shmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08671760537010752339noreply@blogger.com4